Wedding Weekend

Brian had a wedding to do a couple of weekends ago and the kids and I decided to tag along.  Although, I do know this couple, I do not know them well and usually don't go to these type of weddings (although there isn't much I won't do for wedding cake!), but I decided to go because I haven't seen Brian much lately and SOME time together is better than NO time together.  His part usually doesn't take very long, but the time there and back and just hanging around takes longer and we can spend time together.  Needless to say, the kids weren't crazy about having to hang out in the heat.  However, overall, I don't think it was TOO bad for them.  Ava even made a couple of friends. (Which isn't hard to do in Ava World.)

Ava was so ready to get up from the table at the reception, but I made her stay with me.  This was hard for her to understand since we were outside.  She can have a lot of energy at times and I didn't want for her to (*GASP) knock the cake over or anything.  By the time dancing rolled around, she was about to burst, so I told her she could dance.  She had so much fun.  Some of the older girls even taught her a few moves.  I loved watching her.

A parting shot.  I LOVE this picture of Ava and Chance.  There were times during the rehearsal and wedding that they were really wearing me out.  This little scene when we arrived home reminded me to keep everything in perspective.  They really ARE good kids and I am lucky to have them.

~Crystal

Pool News

This year, we did something we've never done before:  we got a season pass to the pool.  I meant to do this at the beginning of the summer, but between our cruise and a trip to Mississippi, I didn't actually get the pass until late June.  We have been taking full advantage of the pool since then.  

When I was a kid, going to the pool was the highlight of my summer.  I actually judged how well my summer went by how many times I got to go swimming.  I have been trying to be intentional about doing "fun" stuff with my kids this summer because our actual "free time" is limited this year because of all the babysitting I do.  Anytime we have a couple extra hours on our hands, we make a beeline for the pool.  

I have been so proud of the progress that my kids have made this year.  Chance made great strides in swimming last year, but this year he's gotten even better.  I really don't have to worry about him in the water anymore.  The big story with Chance is that this is his first year EVER to jump off the high dive.  We were at the pool the first day, having a snack, and I jokingly asked him if he was going to try it.  He didn't even bat an eye, just announced that he was going to try it as soon as he got back in the pool.  I made sure that he knew that I wasn't trying to pressure him.  I also warned him that it looked much more menacing from the top.  He said he could do it, and he DID.  There was not even a moment's hesitation.  As soon as he reached the top of the ladder, he walked right to the edge and jumped right off.  It was a very proud moment for me.  Heck, I'm still scared of the high dive. ;)  Once he did it the first time, there was no stopping him.  He has been enjoying the high dive all summer.  

Ava has made great progress in the pool as well.  Last year, she could do about anything she wanted as long as she had her life jacket on.  She would even swim for a few seconds at a time without it.  This year, she had to be motivated in a hurry because the pool rules state that you cannot do the water slide or the diving boards with a life jacket.  After swimming around the pool for awhile, she insisted that she could do it without her "safety net".  It made me a little nervous, but I let her try (yes, I was standing at the edge of the pool waiting to jump in).  She was awesome!  She is quite the little fish now.  She can even do a mean cannonball of the diving board.  Even the lifeguards were remarking about how cute she was.  

I'm very proud of all the progress my kids have made at the pool this year.  These have been some fun memories for sure. 

Splash Pad

I have been watching kids this summer, so I have been trying to find some alternative fun for my kids that doesn't involve outright swimming.  It is quite a chore to take multiple kids swimming by myself.  This led me to the splash pad.  It is still fun and wet, just not quite as labor intensive.  They like to go, but never want to stay as long as they do at the pool.  This works out well, anyway, with the extra kids I tote with me.  

I snapped these pictures with my phone the last time I went and thought I would share them.  I was really struck by how old Chance looked, especially in that first picture.  I can't believe I am the mother of a fourth grader this year.  Time is really flying.  Notice the rainbow beside Ava in the last picture.  I really liked that, too.  I hope everyone out there is having a wonderful summer.  I know we have been enjoying it.  

~Crystal

(One) of our Favorite Things

>

The kids and I LOVE Orange Leaf.  The kids love it because, let's face it, they love anything that even remotely resembles ice cream.  I love it because it is (somewhat) better for me than ice cream.  All this to say, we go quite often.  By the way, I'm pretty sure Orange Leaf should ask Ava to do a commercial for them.  What do you think?!?  :)

I really enjoy this little outing with them.  They always ask to sit outside, no matter how hot the weather.  I think one of their favorite things about sitting outside is that it is right next to a small pond.  Every time we finish our yogurt, they always ask if they can go over to the pond.  It's becoming quite the little ritual.  I have probably taken countless pictures of them by the pond this summer, but the ones below are some of my favorites.  I thought I would share them with you.  I have enjoyed these particular little moments with my kids this summer. 

~Crystal

A Rediscovery

I've been feeling a little nostalgic lately. This has led to me revisiting some of my favorite things from my childhood. One of the things I used to love was something that could be found at almost any of the parks I used to visit as a child: the very awesome, giant ROCKETSHIP (complete with a slide stragegically placed the the middle.) This used to be one of my very FAVORITE things, but is almost non-exsitent now because someone decided that playground toys should be safe (what?!?) for our children. Of course, I'm kidding. I also want safe playground toys, but I was super excited to see that one, lone rocketship still stands at the playground in my hometown.

I had been talking to my kids at length about how awesome the rocketship was when I was growing up. Perhaps, I over-talked it a bit, because I think they were a little underwhelmed by my discovery. (Looking back, I'm not sure if it was that, or they were just terrified that it may fall over and kill them.) At any rate, they were not as excited about this blast from my past. However, rocketship aside, the kids loved the rest of the park. It is full of new places for them to discover and has TONS of very tall trees and picnic benches...even a dog park. We have made it one of our new places to go. Always fun to have new places to explore. :)

~Crystal

Mississippi Trip

Click here to view these pictures larger

We went to Mississippi this summer for our annual trip to visit Brian's parents.  It was a good trip filled with lots of food, shopping, outdoor fun, a visit to the Children's Museum, and even a small visit to the Marlett family reunion.  Most importantly, it was quite relaxing and Brian and I were able to catch up on some MUCH needed rest.  Enjoy the pictures!

Testing

I think I may have figured out how to blog from my phone. If you are reading this, I am one happy girl!! Here is a pic I took last night...
Happy summer, everyone. I'm off to the pool. :)
~Crystal